Baradih Village is not just any upcoming weekend destination near Kolkata. Here, River Kansabati merges from the distant hills cloaked in deep lush forests and meanders past you while you wait in the balcony of your cottage to catch a glimpse of the setting sun over the ancient jungles. Soon, the sky turns crimson and the birds start their homeward journey – everything here is surreal – seems like the work of a master painter. At Baradih Village, you can escape time and space and embark on your journey to self-realisation. BOOKING DETAILS OF BARADIH Places to...

A small village around 13 kms. from the district town of Barasat, Joypool is conveniently connected by roadways as well as railways. If you are yearning for some moments of peace and is longing to spend some valuable time with your family in a farmhouse where your children can play in the lawns and you can enjoy the village life, then our accommodation at Joypool would be the right pick for a day trip and picnic from Kolkata. While returning home, you can drive another 15 kms. to reach the Chakla Dham Temple Complex dedicated to the Saint Lokenath Baba to pay your...

Burraghutu is a remote village on a hilltop with a spectacular view of the Kansabati River basin. Tucked within a forest in Bankura, this tribal village is straight from the pages of any adventure novel. The Kansabati River Basin is dotted with small islands and few of them are designated wildlife parks, where you can find deer roaming freely. While staying here, you can explore the nearby tribal villages famous for terracotta and Dokra artworks and visit the ruins of ancient Jain temples. Boating in Kansabati River and day trips to the deep dark forests of Kuilapal are...

Nearly, 400 years ago, the Chowdhurys settled in and around a small village in Bardhaman and established their Zamindari. With time, they grew to become one of the most influential Zamindars of Bengal. Today, their house, temple, mango orchards and the Dighi (pond) stand testimony to the grand past. If you are a time-traveller, then you must visit the Chowdhury Zamindar Bari this weekend to re-discover the grandeur of Zamindari lifestyle and the beauty of rural Bengal. BOOKING DETAILS OF CHOWDHURI BARI Not even a 100-kms of Kolkata, the landscape of Bengal gives way to...

Standing 800 feet tall, Joychandi Pahar stands proudly on the open plains of Purulia. A flight of 520 steps snaking around the boulders and ancient watchtowers would take you to the temple of Mata Chandi atop the hill. You will get a panoramic view of the parched landscape of Purulia dotted with lakes from this windy hilltop. Apart from the temple, surrounding lakes and the fascinating natural monolithic structure of the hill, you can also visit the cave, Raghunathpur Silk Factories and the spot where the legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray shot parts of the famous...

Luxury living in the clouds! That is exactly what this resort in Sangsey offers. Just 10 kms from Kalimpong, perched on a hilltop with magnificent views of Mt. Kanchenjungha, Sangsey is a sleepy village guarded by pine forests. If you are looking for a luxury hideout in the Himalayas with opportunities of bird watching, trekking and paragliding, then Sangsey should be your choice. Being close to Delo and Kalimpong, day trips can be made to the local attractions of these destinations like Kalimpong Science Park, Delo Park, Durpin Monastery and the markets of...

Rolep is tucked on the slopes of the rolling green Himalayan foothills with panoramic views of the Rangpo Khola River valley. While in Rolep, you can hike along the hanging bridges over gushing rivers, get drenched under the 40-feet high waterfall and try angling trouts in the river. Rolep is one of the new-found gems of East Sikkim, which gives a very authentic experience of village life and adventure. Here, guests are welcomed in traditional home stays where they can take part in the daily lives of the villagers and taste some sumptuous local cuisine. BOOKING...

High up in the Himalayas is a small village called Yakten which stays shrouded in mist and caressed by the soft chilling winds. Located just 35 kms from the bustling city of Gangtok in Sikkim, Yakten is surrounded by pine forests with magnificent views of the lush rolling Himalayan foothills. A 10-minutes walk through the pine forest would take you to a view point from where you can catch a breathtaking view of Mt. Kanchenjungha. Almost eight home stays with adequate modern amenities welcome guests at Yaakten. BOOKING DETAILS OF YAKTEN Places to see in Yakten: The...

Steeped in history and flanked by the mighty Ganges, Somrabazar is known for its terracotta temples, ruins of Zamindar Mansions, lush green paddy fields crisscrossed by rivulets, the riverine island – Sabujdwip and the seat of spiritual awakening of Rani Rashmoni. It is an ideal place to spend a day or two, if you are keen on discovering heritage structures and take long walks along the marshy banks of Ganges to spot some of the rarest birds’ species. Apart from the nearby attractions of Guptipara, Bandel, Balagarh and Hooghly, Somrabazar is also known to produce...

Perched on a mountain slope at 4700 feet and surrounded by the deep and dense Neora Valley Forest, Pabong enjoys one of the best views of Mt. Kanchenjungha. Few kilometers from the popular tourist spots of Loleygaon and Chakhole, this tranquil village of Pabong has somehow escaped the clutches of commercialisation and mass tourism. Here, you can trek along the Neora forest and enjoy bird watching, take village walks along the terraced paddy fields and spend the quite evenings watching the lights of Kalimpong flickering in the horizon. If you are searching for a hidden...

In Nachan, the lake stretches as far as the horizon and finally touches the Palash forest on the other side. The bungalow stands on the banks of the lake amidst gardens and patches of flower beds overlooking the lake, the Palash Forest, the villages and infinity. If you are of the adventurous kind and is waiting to run away from the din of your city life, then Nachan Nature Bungalow should be your pick for this weekend. Located just 188 kms. from Kolkata, Nachan is a village beside an endless lake created by a dam. BOOKING DETAILS OF NACHAN Places to see in Nachon: There...

Khoai is a geological formation of small canyons resulting from constant erosion caused by wind and water. The Khoai Shantiniketan region in Bolpur is characterised by a patch of dry forest of Sonajhuri (Acacia Auriculiformis) trees on an eroded landscape of red laterite soil. This unique look of the forest was immortalised by Rabindranath Tagore in many of his compositions. The Sonajhuri forest in Khoai is surrounded by the famous Kopai River (Tagore’s Amader Choto Nadi) on one side and Ballavpur Forest and Bonerpukur Adivasi Village on other sides. BOOKING DETAILS...

At Singee, you can walk along the paddy fields, marvel at 300-year old terracotta temples, make wishes to the magic tree and sit besides the Brahmani River gazing at the green horizon. There is something for everyone at Singee – a little know village in Bardhaman with a hint of history, culture, untouched village life and endless greenery. If you are harbouring some special interests like bird watching, then you can visit nearby ox-bow lake of Chupir Char in Purbasthali, which is the hotbed for migratory birds. BOOKING DETAILS OF SINGEE Otherwise, history buffs can...

Tshlamthang is a quaint village tucked in the Himalayan foothills. The bird’s eye view of gurgling Teesta River and snow-clad Nathula peaks create a mix of charms. The name Tshlamthang means Orange Farm. It is a quiet and organic spot for both people who love to laze in nature enjoying native cuisine and culture and adventurous people looking for treks, bird watching, trails and walks and angling. With plenty of nearby tourist attractions like Ravangla, Temi, Solophok and forest trekking scope, this new destination in South Sikkim is still an unknown paradise. BOOKING...

While you sit at the green island and look out to the endless water meeting the sky at the horizon, a freshly cooked maach bhaja (fried fish) arrives to break your thought process. You bite a piece off and let your thoughts float with the clouds and suddenly you feel a slight tension building on your fishing rod – that’s it! Your second catch of the day. Fishing or the professionals would call it angling, boating, basking in the sun and playing around with your children on the lush lawn are few things you can do at the resort in Agarhati, just 60 kms from...